First pitch: 6:40 p.m. EDT
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
TV: NBCS-PH / Cardinals.TV (MLB.TV nationally)
Starting Pitchers
Cardinals: RHP Hunter Dobbins (3-3, 3.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 49 K in 50.0 IP across 7 starts/10 appearances).
Phillies: LHP Jesús Luzardo (11-5, 3.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 185 K in 150.1 IP across 25 starts).
Luzardo has been excellent lately (strong recent stretch including a quality start with 9 K vs. Minnesota) and holds a career edge vs. the Cardinals (2-1, ~2.95 ERA in limited prior starts). Dobbins faced the Phillies on Aug. 10 (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 3 BB in a no-decision/loss) and has shown solid command at times but remains more of a depth/rotation option.
Current Weather Forecast (Citizens Bank Park)
Around first pitch and into the evening: Partly cloudy/overcast, temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s°F (around 75–79°F at game time, cooling into the upper 60s/low 70s later). Light winds (~4–6 mph, often ESE or variable), near-0% precipitation chance. Comfortable conditions with minimal weather impact expected; no significant rain threat until later in the weekend.
Injury Reports
Cardinals
Ramón Urías (3B): 60-day IL (elbow).
Max Rajcic (SP/RP): 60-day IL (elbow).
Andre Pallante (SP): Recently placed on 15-day IL (right elbow inflammation) — impacts series rotation depth.
Rafael Marchán (C): 10-day IL (knee/patellar tendinitis); status borderline for return.
Caleb Kilian (RP): 15-day IL (oblique).
Longer-term absences (60-day IL or season-ending implications): Adolis García (lat), Johan Rojas (elbow), Tanner Banks (forearm), Brad Keller (elbow), Felix Reyes (wrist).
Both clubs are dealing with notable depth issues, particularly in the bullpen and secondary positions.
Projected/Listed Lineups
Cardinals (vs. LHP Luzardo):
JJ Wetherholt (SS)
Iván Herrera (DH)
Jordan Walker (RF)
Joshua Báez (LF)
Blaze Jordan (1B)
José Fermín (3B)
Everson Pereira (CF)
Bryan Torres (2B)
Pedro Pagés (C)
Phillies (vs. RHP Dobbins):
Kyle Schwarber (DH)
Trea Turner (SS)
Bryce Harper (RF)
Luis Arraez (2B)
Alec Bohm (1B)
Bryson Stott (3B)
Brandon Marsh (LF)
J.T. Realmuto (C)
Justin Crawford (CF)
(Lineups drawn from multiple contemporaneous reports; Walker and Bohm are key hot bats.)
Key Player vs. Player Matchups & Notes
Jordan Walker (.288 AVG, 26 HR, 94 RBI) vs. Luzardo: Cardinals’ top offensive threat; right-handed power could test the lefty if Luzardo’s command slips.
Bryce Harper (25 HR, strong OBP streak noted recently) and Kyle Schwarber (37 HR) vs. Dobbins: Power lefties who can punish mistakes; Harper’s on-base streak and Schwarber’s pop are primary threats.
Alec Bohm: Hot recently (16-for-37 with extra-base hits/RBIs in last 10).
Luis Arraez: Contact specialist who can disrupt Dobbins’ rhythm.
Luzardo’s high K rate (11+ K/9) vs. a Cardinals lineup that has shown vulnerability to lefties at times; Dobbins’ recent outing vs. PHI showed he can miss bats but walked three.
Cardinals have scored well in August; Phillies offense is heating up with multi-hit games.
Recent Team Forms
Phillies: 8-2 in last 10, winners of 6 straight (and a 4-game home winning streak entering the series). Strong pitching (team ERA around 3.26 in the stretch) and timely hitting. 35-30 at home.
Cardinals: 7-3 in last 10, winners of recent series and playing inspired baseball despite trade-deadline seller status. Still only ~2.5 games out of a wild-card spot at times. 34-29 on the road. Strong when not allowing home runs.
Both clubs are playing well; Phillies hold the momentum edge at home.
Series History (2026)
Cardinals lead the season series 2-1 after taking two of three in St. Louis (Aug. 10–12):
Aug. 10: PHI 6–5 STL (Dobbins started for STL).
Aug. 11: STL 2–0 PHI.
Aug. 12: STL 7–1 PHI.
This is the start of a three-game set in Philadelphia (games also scheduled Aug. 22–23). Historical edge often leans toward the home team in these matchups, but the Cardinals have been competitive.
Betting Trends
Phillies strong as home favorites and when favored overall this year; Cardinals competitive as underdogs. Recent low-scoring tilt potential with both starters capable of limiting damage. Phillies have covered/won big at home lately; totals have mixed results but pitching strength supports lower scores.
Game Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 9
Philadelphia Phillies – 250
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 20, 2026
